I don't know about you but whenever I go shopping if I see a price tag on something I assume that the item is for sale however it wasn't true when I went into the new Michaels store today. I also expect to see happy and helpful workers which includes the store manager. I was so excited when I found out there was a Michaels opening up 1 mile from my house. Michaels has everything that a crafter like me would need - I get so inspired when I go inside the store that I always end up buying extra stuff. My last 2 shopping experiences have me questioning whether I would ever go back to this store again. One time I had to wait for over 20 minutes for a worker to help me get a pre-made bow off the shelf! This time - I saw an item on the shelf, it had 2 price tags on it. It was some artificial flowers set inside of a wooden crate. I wanted the crate. The crate had a price tag. I found a worker and asked if they could just sell me the crate, she had to ask the manager. When the manager got there it was obvious she was in a bad mood and said I couldn't buy it and walked away. The worker (obviously new) scanned it to see if it was at another store, but her scanner stopped working so she had to call her manager again. Finally after getting another scanner from the manager - she said there was another one at the other store. I said, great can you have it shipped here? She said no, I have to go there. I stood there disappointed over this $20 item. Instead of apologizing she just hurriedly walked off like she didn't want to help me anymore. Making me so upset I just set my purchases down and walked out. BTW I went to the Emeryville store, they did not have that crate like she said. OK I then paused and told myself that I have exerted my maximum energy on this and purchased what I had originally went to Michaels for and went home. I just can't understand why people take Customer Service jobs when they obviously dislike helping the public. How do these people even get hired? This store has only been open a few months. I have to give a rating so I will give it 1 star. The store is inspirational and has lots of arts and crafts items in it - however their customers service is awful. read more

We had a framing need & Elaine answered all our questions and expertly guided us though the myriad of options of mats, glass & frames. Her use of the computer program to show us all these variables was extremely helpful & enabled us to make the perfect choice. Thanks so much Elaine!! read more

I used to enjoy buying art and crafts supplies in this store. Now the customer service became so bad that I am looking to buy my supplies online or in small business whose owners care about their clients experience. Several times in Michaels I had trouble finding a sales associate who had an idea about where merchandise is. Most of the associates were teenagers without any manners who rolled their eyes when asked questions ANY sales associate should know. read more

The absolute worst customer service of all the Michael's stores I've been to in the Bay Area. The staff and managers must all be new, untrained, uninformed, or all of the above. Yes, the store is new but the selection isn't that great and the staff I interacted with should never work in customer service/retail ever again. I'll continue going to the Emeryville location where the staff are consistently pleasant and especially helpful. read more

I recieved a coupon for 60% off a regular priced item, and I am doing a project for my husbands birthday that required a black tri fold board. Of course everytime I go there, they are never fully stocked of the boards and I have to ask for help.. Yesterday it was hard to find help in store, and then i saw an associate who was a female with blue hair. I had to walk all the way accross the store just to get her attention. She said she would look in the back for the tri fold, we should have some, I said ok great, I looked online too and it said that you guys had them in stock as well. I waited trolling around a store with a very energentic 2 year old for 5-10 minutes waiting for her to bring it out to me. When I find her,she is on the phone next to the custom frames area, acting like she is working. I walked the isles for a few with my son.. no attention given. She then hangs up & proceeds to tell me, they do not have any and they wont be instock until Tuesday, try the michaels in emeryville. I asked her to call, she said sure. They had her on hold for a while, at this point i was just ready to go. She acted like they told her they were out of stock there too, but she didnt want to do her job. and she hung up the phone call. So today, I place an online order to pick up the black tri fold board.. and guess what guys,,, MY ORDER WAS COMPLETED AND READY FOR ME TO PICK UP! Not only do I have to waste my time driving from oakland to alameda again ,but i didnt even get to utilize my 60% off coupon and im running out of time to make this gift for my husband. THANK YOU BLUE HAIRED ASSOCIATE for making have to go back to your store.. I hope i see you there too. So i can show my PURCHASE OF THE PRODUCT in your face. If you didnt want to help me you should have to told me to ask a different associate. read more

Upon showing up 2 minutes past closing time, Ericka was the superhero of the night. I needed one single item and she ran in the store, found it and checked us out in a total of 2 minutes tops! She really went out of her way to make sure customers purchased what they needed for their Halloween project! read more

Every time I come in here there is never anyone on the floor. I always have to ask the cash rep a question or for some help. This trip I was looking for more of the items i wanted to purchase so i asked the cash rep,she told me they have plenty they are just under the shelves in their black bins they have. I already knew customers aren't suppose to be looking in there. But i still did cus she wasn't going to look for them and no one else would neither so while i was looking another employee saw n stop just cus I asked for help. Told her what I needed she scanned my item n said "yes we have a lot but i don't no where it is, would you like me to relocate you to another Michael's." I didn't even bother looking at her nor speaking back. Why should I go to another 10miles out my way when you have a bunch and just to lazy to look for them or ask another employee. I know working in retail is a drag but damn at least put a lil effort into helping find the customer needs. read more

They got everything stocked in scrap booking! Their customer service from the front to back is pretty awesome compared to other Michaels I've been. Extremely helpful floor staff to the front register folks. Had me smiling from ear to ear! Haha Thanks guys! read more

I love MIchaels. They have a great dollar section & they always provide coupons online. Be sure to sign up for the email subscription & check their website or retailmenot.com for coupons before going to check out. The only reason I am giving this a 3 star review is because of the security guard. He literally followed me throughout the whole store. He wasn't even discreet about it. Was it because I was talking on the phone the whole time? I wasn't even loud but regardless all I was doing was buying stock paper. What was I going to do, run out & take a shitload of paper with me? pssh whatever. read more

Super nice staff, helpful and efficient - particularly in the frames department. Superb shopping and customer service experience. Highly recommended. read more

Like shopping here-but long lines. Asked if another teller could be called-didn't happen...Then she just started answering phone calls instead... read more

We had my daughter's 11th birthday party in the craft classroom at Michaels. The staff was terrific and made it a fun event. The kids enjoyed making 2 projects. People can bring in their own party food. Birthday parties are a great value at Michaels. read more

I had the BEST customer service today from Elaine! She works in the custom frame department and was so helpful, kind and extremely patient with me. Elaine went above and beyond to make sure I knew all of my options and helped guide my decisions. I couldn't be happier with my experience! read more

Only been on hold for 37 minutes , obviously they really do not care about local customers , fortunately while waiting on hold was able to find exactly what I needed at Amazon , it will be here tomorrow , I won't have to drive across town . Tank you Michaels for the saving ... read more

Chris in the Framing Department is a miracle worker and I highly recommend asking for him when you go to Michaels. He meticulously framed a painting that had very difficult matting. Chris went above and beyond to make sure my painting was fabulous looking! read more

One of the rudest and worst experiences at the framing department. Waited 15 minutes for a simple question and when someone one finally helped they were rude and said there were too many other paying customers and I would have to wait longer for an estimate to frame my photos. Also was waiting so long because 2 other representatives were desperately searching for another customers pictures he had frames and they couldn't find it! Yikes read more

customer service is getting worse every time I come in...4 out of 5times ive been there: lines are long(wait time max of 15mins),locked items will took alomst 10mins for an assistant to come (not enough staff out on the floor&need to ask cashier for help), they say they're short handed but y are there a few staff around doing nothing? read more

Wow - signed up for free class and most unprofessional Time ever. "Teacher" late never introduced herself stating "I hope this isn't arm knitting - I don't like that". Yup that was what it was! Per the teacher you can just watch u-tube! Manager came in and said the regular teacher moved.... Blamed corporate she didn't know- wow she could just check the store web site or the flyers they giv out- big waste of time!!! I only buy on sale items nothing else!!! read more

This is a nice new clean store, however it doesn't have as much in it. It's probably the smallest Michaels I've been in and it lacks in yarn. The few times I have been, they have not had anything I'm looking for. They cut out department areas and a lot of items for this compact store size. Good thing there is Beverley's in town with all Michaels is missing and more. read more

Here it is the holidays and 2 people to check out the people in line. I left yesterday because of the same problem. They need new management. read more

What a great addition to our town! Fully stocked shelves, helpful staff and on weekdays I feel like I have the whole store to myself. Weekends are a lot busier. I recommend this location to all of my friends. Can't wait for pre-black Friday sale (they are open late afternoon on Thanksgiving). Of curse it will be a little crowded, but with many people not even being aware it is open, it shouldn't be as bad as some of the other stores. read more

Myself and my daughter went to shop for materials for her school presentation at Michaels store in Alameda city. My daughter went to the counter to ask the cashier rep about some material she could not find the shelf, the rep pointed to the direction but never moved to show her. Finally my daughter and I asked another rep who was in the aisle who politely showed us where it was and also the glittering paper my daughter needed. There was a discount of 7 for 10 hang above it but when we got to the cashier rep, she said the paper didn't cost that and the discount was for 5/6 - 5/12/18, I wonder why it was there in the first place. Because we wanted to check other papers that were not as costly since the discount was not updated, we told the cashier that we needed to pick other papers and she was rude - picked everything we had on the counter undid the pay made and threw them on the counter for returns. I asked this cashier rep name and she said her name was Tiffany, very rude. I will never go back to that store! read more

IThis review is strictly about the Framing Department and The "MASTER" framer they have named Chris! Chris has framed my most rarest of items including a Keith Haring/LA2 original, Scavullo prints and most recently a rare painting by Dora Maar. Chris was my go-to framer at the Emeryville Michaels. He knows aesthetically what frame, mounting, glass/acrylic will go well with your piece of art or memorabilia. He takes time to make sure you are happy and will go through many options until you are happy with what you will be ordering. Chris studied art/is an artist and his appreciation for art and making sure your piece and frame compliment each other is very important to him. Chris was recently promoted to manager at the Alameda Michaels (I told him he will be district/managerial mgr one day, he's that good!) Needless to say I now drive an additional 15 minutes to bring my pieces to the new Michaels in Alameda (even though I live across the street from the Michaels in Emeryville) because Chris is now at the Alameda store. Chris truly gives a "home town" personalized type of genuine and sincere service even though he is in a "big box" store like Michaels. A rare find and an employee Michaels should continue to acknowledge/reward. TIP: Just give Chris the general feel of what you are looking for...then step back and watch him work his magic! read more